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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 8, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 6.

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Editorial

By Editor

Editorial Correspondence

COLLEGE VIEW, NEBR., JAN. 24, 1912.
WHAT is the inspiration of the recent ministerial institutes which have been held in our denomination? Why has it been deemed necessary to call together our ministers and Bible workers in various sections of the country to spend a number of days in institute work?
The answer to these questions may be found in the consideration of the character of the work we as a people are seeking to do. God has committed to us a message which is to be carried to earth's remotest bounds. Beginning in weakness, that message has advanced with the years until now it reaches out into, and has obtained a foothold in, nearly every nation under heaven. God has signally blessed the efforts of our laborers. Before the power of this great movement, mighty obstacles have been swept aside, mountains of difficulties surmounted, and the truth carried into the strongholds of darkness and superstition.
For some time the conviction has been growing in the hearts of our workers that the purpose of God could never be met in the accomplishment of this work by might or by power, through human devising or organization, however perfect. They have felt that while God has wonderfully blessed thus far in the prosecution of the work, that he had for them still greater blessings of spiritual power and strength. Our workers have been longing in their labors for a power to move mightily the hearts of men. That they may go forth better prepared as the ministers of the Lord Jesus Christ; that they may enter into the highways and byways opening before them with better plans and methods, better mental equipment, and above all a spiritual preparation, they have come together in these gatherings.
That the Bible instruction which has been given in these institutes is well calculated to aid in securing these desired results is apparent. Three leading topics have been considered, as stated in the past; namely, the message, the messengers, and the power of the Holy Spirit. In the institute now going forward at this place, Elders A. G. Daniells and G. B. Thompson are leading out in the discussion of the first topic. This they are considering under the following heads:—

Our Message

  1. Why the third angel's message is necessary at this time.
  2. God's preparation for the proclamation of the message in this generation.
  3. The beginning and development of our movement under the third angel's message.
  4. Every feature of our movement meets every specification of the prophecies.
  5. The doctrines of our message.
  6. Doctrines.
  7. Doctrines.
  8. The organization of our movement.
  9. Knowing the message.
Instruction on the subject of the ministry is being given by Elders A. G. Daniells and H. R. Salisbury. Brother Daniells considers the following features of this great subject:—

The Ministry

  1. Its place in the gospel plan.
  2. Its purpose.
  3. The call to the ministry.
  4. The Holy Spirit's place in the ministry.
  5. Preaching.
  6. Personal effort.
  7. Evangelistic work.
  8. Pastoral work.
  9. Relation to organization and to individuals.
  10. Intellectual and spiritual development.
Brother Salisbury has given a series of lessons on the following practical phases of the ministry:—
1. Preparation— a. Before entering. b. After entering. 2. Study— a. Too little. b. Too much.
  1. Preparation of the sermon.
  2. Delivery of the sermon.
  3. Out of the pulpit—
 a. General deportment. b. Conversation. c. Dress.
  1. Mannerisms.
  2. Vocabulary.
  3. Observation.
  4. Value of time.
  5. Opportunities.
The work of the Holy Spirit has been presented by Elder G. B. Thompson. The subject has been brought before the institute under the following topic heads:—

The Holy Spirit

  1. Our greatest need, and why.
  2. The work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament and in the life of Christ.
  3. The Paraclete.
  4. The work of the Holy Spirit after Pentecost.
  5. Conditions of receiving the Spirit,— three lessons.
  6. The result of rejecting the Spirit's work.
  7. The fruits of the Spirit.
  8. The gifts of the Spirit.
Four hours a day have thus been consumed in Bible study and instruction. These studies have been filled with living interest to all who have taken part in the same. In addition to these regular classes, Elder Daniells has conducted the daily question box, in which many questions relating to the operation of our cause and practical Christian experience connected with the work of the ministry have been considered.
The workers meet together daily for an hour of social worship. This is the meeting of the great spiritual family of brothers and sisters of the same common faith who come together and exchange experiences, telling each other of their hopes and fears, praying with and for each other, and thus seeking to make the excellent principles brought out in the lesson hour practical and effective. Of the spirit attending the institute and of some of the excellent results which have already been achieved and which the closing days will bring, we believe, still more liberally, we will speak more particularly next week. F. M. W.